It probably comes as no surprise that an estimated 80% of homeless teens use drugs to self medicate. Every day on the streets of New York City, my heart breaks to see these young people ruining their lives, begging for money to support the habits that will likely kill them.
It's tough to help each and every one, yet sometimes it's even more difficult to look the other way, refusing to give them drug money. That's why the following video from YouTube's "Model Pranksters" upsets me so much. Coby Persin loves to perform social experiments on the streets of NYC, where most people barely notice what's going on around them.
In the video, we see Coby, who strikes a shocking resemblance to Zac Efron, dressed up as a homeless man with a sign that reads "Homeless. Need Money For Weed, Drugs And Alcohol." Whether people can relate to his need to self medicate, think it's funny or appreciate his honest sign, for whatever reason, strangers are very inclined to fill up his cup with bills. In a heartbreaking twist, a little girl joins Coby in the next scene.
His new sign reads "Homeless. Single Father. Need Money For Family." Sadly, a lot of time goes by before someone finally stops to help. Just like in this touching social experiment where a homeless man shares his pizza, the sympathetic woman who stops to say a prayer and offer all the money she had was sadly homeless herself.
It really makes you think about which sign you would choose, if any…
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